Most tenants return home Wednesday after Beaver Dam explosion

BEAVER DAM (WKOW) -- Some people who evacuated an apartment complex in Beaver Dam after a deadly explosion are now being allowed back home.

On Wednesday, Officials in Dodge County met with the residents who were sent out of their homes Monday after an explosion inside an apartment that killed a man. They're hoping to answer as many questions as they can and ease concerns.

Kathy Hagen was in her apartment, a floor below the explosion, when it happened. She's still shaken after being thrown to the ground and hurrying out of the building.

"I saw our living room wall just like pulse out, and we got a jolt, fell back," Hagen told 27 News. "The coffee table jumped, all the pictures fell off the wall, the TV was just shaking back and forth."

Hagen says she grabbed her purse, her bible and her dog and ran out. She got back in for about 10 minutes to grab essentials and hasn't been back since. She says she was praying as she watched officials detonate the explosives in the building with the group of residents Wednesday afternoon.

"It looks better than what I anticipated," she said. "I can still see my bedroom window. I can still see the patio door."

Mark McMullen, who lives in a surrounding building in the complex, says it's been stressful to not be able to go home for days.

"I have faith that they're doing everything they can to make everyone safe," he said.

The entire incident has left some residents looking to leave.

"It's been rough, scary," said Debra Budde, whose daughter lives in the complex. "She actually wants to move out of the apartments. She's very afraid of what happened and what can happen."

As of 5 p.m., all residents, except for those in the building where the explosion happened, have returned home. There will be another meeting for the tenants who are still displaced Thursday at noon at St. Katharine Drexel Parish Center on Spring Street.

Authorities have opened an account to raise money for the victims. Donations can be made at any Horicon Bank in Dodge County, addressed to the Dodge County COAD/Beaver Dam Apartments. All money will be used for the residents of the building where the explosion happened.

Eight candidates out of a crowded Democratic field to run for governor attended a forum at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. It was hosted by the Senior Coalition who invited all candidates who’ve officially filed.

Eight candidates out of a crowded Democratic field to run for governor attended a forum at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. It was hosted by the Senior Coalition who invited all candidates who’ve officially filed.